Foundation programme welcomes more than 950 students thanks to exceptional teamwork across Science and Engineering

Supporting such a large and diverse cohort is a significant undertaking. All foundation students complete the SEF042 Science and Engineering Success module, which includes laboratory sessions and advisor meetings designed to build academic confidence, practical skills and a sense of belonging as students begin their university journey.

Coordinating these activities across five schools within the faculty requires extensive planning and collaboration. The challenge has been met with dedication and professionalism by foundation programme professional services staff, led by William Ng, alongside technical teams across the faculty, whose hard work has ensured students receive a high-quality experience from the outset.

A standout example has been the delivery of the chemistry foundation laboratories in the Joseph Priestley Building. Students were welcomed by the chemistry technical team, including Habibat Olaniyi, Taslema Khanom, Carlos Guzman and James Andrew Smith Botwright, who ensured every student was safely equipped with lab coats and safety glasses before guiding them through a series of practical experiments.

Working in pairs, students rotated through four hands-on activities that introduced key scientific techniques and concepts, including Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis of plastics, UV/Visible spectroscopy of food dyes, calibration of automatic pipettes using analytical balances, and the synthesis of a blue copper-ammine complex.

The scale of the operation has been remarkable. Approximately 80 students per session were organised into 12 groups, with laboratory classes running on Monday and Wednesday mornings and afternoons over three consecutive weeks. Delivering a safe, engaging and educational experience for so many students required exceptional organisation, commitment and teamwork.

The chemistry technical team’s efforts have received praise from their line manager, departmental leadership, the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, and the Faculty’s Dean for Education. Their work exemplifies the dedication of staff across the Foundation Programme, whose behind-the-scenes contributions are helping hundreds of students take their first steps towards successful careers in science and engineering.